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Posted : 5/18/2006 1:59:22 PM

[

]...I need some advice on how to dogproof our fence. My husband built it a few years back. It's a chainlink fence and we even divided the yard/ fence so we could put the dogs in one part and sit outside on the other part when having guests and not be bothered by them trying to beg or jump up etc. Problem is thou they have tried and a few times actually gotten under the fence and ran off into the woods. Would crossties along the fenceline keep them in or do you all think they would even try to dig underneath those?
And what can I do to keep the snakes out of our yard? I would love to be able to leave the dogs out while I run to the store but I would be so worried about them getting out or get bitten by a snake.

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Posted : 5/18/2006 2:04:24 PM

I'm not sure what to do about the snakes because we dont have that problem where I live but maybe some of your neighbors who have dogs might have a idea or reccomendations. Generally I think that snakes woud try to stay away from a yard with dogs but there are those crazy snakes too, ha ha!
As for the fence digging, we had a neighbor dig a trench along the bottom of the fence, fill it with moderatley sized rocks and then fill in the trench. It is a big job but effective and it sounds like you might be able to get away with doing half the yard by the way it sounds like your uard is set up. Oh throwing in a lil of their poop into the trench is helpful too! Hopefully they dont start climbing the chain link fence like my girl, its very scary!

dackelfan

Posted : 5/18/2006 2:14:12 PM

I had to laugh when I read about the poop...[

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A trench sounds like a great idea. Any work would be well worth it to have them be able to run around outside. Right now since I am so scared something might happen to them we have plenty of leashes and they get walked several times a day.
My friend's poodle got bitten by a snake once while in her yard and he almost died. Snake was not scared of him.

jeano

Posted : 5/18/2006 2:20:52 PM

Dackelfan, where do you live?

I think the trench is a good idea. A more expensive way to do it is to dig the trench and then pour concrete into it.

If the snakes are ground dwellers and not tree climbers, you could weave light lathe into your fence (or those plastic things people weave into chainlink fences). It would only have to go halfway up to keep out snakes. Patrol the yard and make sure all the resident snakes have been removed, of course.

dackelfan

Posted : 5/18/2006 7:11:52 PM

Texas. I did not know there was such a thing as resident snakes. How do I know if that's what they are? I know this may sound like a stupid question, but until I moved here I had never seen a snake in my life. Once I fix up the fence do I just walk through the yard and remove or kill the snakes?

ron2

Posted : 5/18/2006 7:45:33 PM

One thing I've heard of to repel snakes is male urine, of any species, even human. If a bunch of guys peeing in your backyard would get the neighbors to talking, then get them to fill jugs at home. I believe it is the hormone testosterone that repels snakes. I know a lady who swears by this. I don't know how she found it out and I'm afraid to ask.

Maybe male deer musk which you could probably get at a place that sells hunting supplies would help.

tiffy

Posted : 5/18/2006 8:05:03 PM

Ron- I just pictured a bunch of guys peeing all over and the image made my day! LOL.[

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dackelfan

Posted : 5/18/2006 9:12:28 PM

That's just gross Ron. Are you serious???[

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Funny thou. But I guess some of those "homeremedies" do help...don't think thou I will go with the human kind

dackelfan

Posted : 5/19/2006 1:39:40 PM

Had to take one of the dogs to the vet during lunch and I asked them there. They told me mothballs. Outside of the fence since the mothballs are harmful to the dogs.

Julie Byers

Posted : 5/20/2006 12:16:26 PM

Laffin at ron's post!! I know a couple dozen guys who can/would/could pee anywhere and do. Now that you mention it, there are no snakes loitering around. Hhhhmmm didn't realize until now why.
As far as fencing, can you slide boards slightly under the fence and put a few cinder blocks on the boards? Lay em flat so they don't act as step stools for dogs to get over the fencing. Then cover the boards with some type of landscape covering or hide with shrubs. I know in my yard if I could put a bathtub at the fence my dog would never ever approach the fence but it isn't practicle...Jules

jeano

Posted : 5/20/2006 2:25:20 PM

Guys peeing outside? It's the Alaskan Way!

Yes, I meant walk the yard and use a snake stick (it's a stick with a loop at the end that you can tighten or loosen, it's used for catching snakes) and catch the snakes and remove the nonpoisonous ones, probably kill the rattlers.

ron2

Posted : 5/20/2006 4:59:09 PM

Are you serious???

The lady that told me about it was quite serious. As best as she knows, the testosterone, especially from humans, drives them away. She has a camping spot on private land and gets her male friends to pee in various places around the edge and she's not had a problem with snakes wandering in.

However, your yard would smell like a gym bathroom. I don't know how well decoys would work, such as owls and birds, because snakes don't see very well. They sense more by heat and smell.

Brian Berry

Posted : 5/20/2006 5:14:09 PM

My yard is fenced in with a low wooden fence. I live in Colorado, so we do get a good amount of snakes around here. I find that some of that 'poultry fencing' (mini-chain link fence basically) near the bottom keeps out snakes. The dangerous ones cant fit in, i only get the occasional gardener snake which isnt much bother. Theres some fencing a few houses down that has plastic tied to the bottom of the fence that keeps the snakes out.

As for digging, the rock idea sounds good. It wouldnt cost much to dig a trench and fill it with rocks, and it would be effective. That idea gets my vote[

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